What Kind of Neighbor Am I?

I recently came across a website with which I was unfamiliar: www.nationaldaycalendar.com. There is something to celebrate every day of the year. For instance, did you know that September 1st is “National Chicken Boy Day?” Who knew! On September 29th, there is a celebration of one of my favorite things: “National Coffee Day.”

As I was looking through the calendar, one day stood out specifically: “National Good Neighbor Day,” which falls on September 28th. As I thought about that day and that title, I couldn’t help but think and ask, “am I a good neighbor?”

I would like to think that I am a good neighbor, but am I really? I was immediately drawn to the Parable of the Good Samaritan to remind myself of the lessons learned from the story of the Good Samaritan, as well as to evaluate from God’s Word “what kind of neighbor am I?”

Lesson #1: The Good Samaritan took action!

He got off his donkey, literally! The Samaritan’s response was not just a feeling. The Samaritan allowed his feelings to lead to action. He bandaged a man’s wounds– probably tearing up his own garments for this purpose. He poured on wine to cleanse his wounds and oil to soothe the pain. Then he placed the man on his own donkey and led the animal down the hot, dusty road to an inn, which meant the Samaritan would have to walk.

Lesson #2: The Good Samaritan sacrificed his time, talents, and treasures!

Once they got to the inn, the Samaritan continued to look after the man. He told the innkeeper, “When I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you have.” He said this with no reason to believe there was any hope of recovering his money. This should remind us that GENUINE neighborly love means interrupting our schedule, putting aside our “to-do lists,” expending our money, ruining our property–even for a stranger.

Lesson #3: The Good Samaritan had great courage!

The Samaritan’s actions demonstrated great COURAGE. After all, this was Jewish territory and a Samaritan transporting the Jewish victim of a mugging would be subject to all kinds of misunderstanding and misinterpretation. His compassion and love over-ruled any fears he might have had.

Lesson #4: The Good Samaritan saw every person in NEED as his NEIGHBOR.

The word “neighbor” has lost much of its meaning these days. Usually we don’t even know the people who live next door to us. We tend to spend our precious time with people we enjoy and end up defining a “neighbor” as someone whose company benefits us in some way. But the story of the Good Samaritan overhauls this philosophy. It teaches that our neighbor is someone we see who has needs, not someone who offers us something.

After praying and thinking through this story, I realize that I have a long way to go to be the neighbor that God wants me to be. How about you? What kind of neighbor are you? More importantly, what can you do in the New Year to be a good neighbor to someone around you?